Honda has disclosed plans to double sales in the next five years, signalling a
boost for British car making.

The Japanese company — which employs 3,400 people in Britain — has set itself a target of selling more than 6m vehicles in 2017 as it plans for ambitious growth amid rising demand from emerging markets.

“We have now reached the stage of going on the offensive,” said Takanobu Ito, Honda’s president and chief executive. In a bullish statement he said countries including India and China would help to drive growth. The company sold 3.1m vehicles in the financial year ending March 2012.

Mr Ito said Honda would strengthen its offering of cheaper models to appeal to emerging market customers, and said the company’s engineers were committed to speeding up model development.

“The remodelled Fit subcompact, which will be rolled out globally starting next year and sold as the Jazz in some regions will also help boost growth,” Mr Ito said.